Wheeling Has Chance To Tie For 8th Place
March 27, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
The Wheeling Nailers head to Toledo Saturday night for a 7:00 pm clash with the Walleye and an opportunity to move into an 8th place tie in the American Conference standings in their battle for the final playoff spot.
Wheeling kept their playoff hopes alive in dramatic fashion with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Kalamazoo Wings Friday night at WesBanco Arena capped by Jordan Fox's winning goal with just one second left in the extra period. Fox said he wasn't even aware of how little time was left on the clock when he shot the puck from the right-wing. He took a chance and just happened to fire it in off a Wings defender as time was expiring to send the WesBanco Arena crowd into a frenzy with one of the most exciting Nailers victories in the history of the organization.
The fans on hand were already aware that the Nailers had already received some important help from their friends to the east. The Johnstown Chiefs rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the 3rd period to defeat the Walleye last night 7-4 thus pulling the Nailers to within 2 points of 8th place Toledo.
If Wheeling wins this game at Toledo then they would have an opportunity to beat Toledo in the standings if they were to win both games next weekend and hope that Toledo goes 2-2-0 or worse. Toledo has upcoming games on Sunday vs. Kalamazoo and Wednesday vs. Johnstown that the Nailers may be keeping an eye on. Toledo also plays a pair of games against Kalamazoo next Friday and Saturday. The Nailers also would need to hold off Trenton and Gwinnett trying to catch them from behind.
But overall it's up to the Nailers to win their remaining games and if they do that their chances are still good to get enough necessary help to earn a spot in the post-season.
Tonight in games involving teams battling for the final two playing spots in the American Conference:
Wheeling (9th) at Toledo (8th)
Reading (7th) at Charlotte
Elmira at Trenton (10th)
Florida at Gwinnett (11th)
Nailers Notes:
Wheeling is 4-1-0 against Toledo this year.
This is the last away game of the regular season for the Nailers. Jordan Morrison has scored 5 of his 10 goals this season against Toledo, but 4 of those came when he was a member of the Florida Walleye.
Mitch Ganzak scored the late game-winner last Sunday at home against Toledo breaking a 2-2 deadlock with 6:10 remaining with a power play goal.
Toledo's defense is 18th out of 20 in the ECHL allowing 3.8 goals per game.
Wheeling's victory Friday night improved their record in overtime games to 5-2. The Nailers are also 3-4 in shootouts this year for a combined mark of 8-6 in games decided after regulation.
Tonight's game, as always, is live on The Mix 97.3fm in Wheeling with the Voice of the Nailers, Bob Rotruck. The broadcast is also on the internet at wheelingnailers.com and wkwkfm.com. The video of the game is also carried live on the B2 network at B2tv.com
More Stats (not including game of Friday, March 26):
Wheeling has re-acquired goalie Michael-Lee Teslak following his stretch with Adirondack of the AHL.
Last Sunday Jordan Morison scored his first goal as a Nailer since his 2010 debut on March 5th and he is on a 5 game point streak (1g 5a).
T.J. Fox has 8 points in the last 4 games (3g 5a). T.J. leads active Nailers with 25 goals. At the Christmas break he only had 6 goals on the season but has been on a tear since then with 19 goals.
Jordan Fox is currently on a 4 game point streak (2g 4a).
Andrew Lord is 4th in the league in major penalties with 20, tied with T.J. Reynolds of Charlotte.
Aaron Clarke along with Scott Burt of Alaska and Brian McGuirk of Kalamazoo lead the ECHL with 4 shorthanded goals this season.
Mitch Ganzak leads the ECHL defensemen with 38 assists. Ganzak is 2nd among defensemen with 19 power play assists and leads active defensemen with 4 shoot out goals and a 0.571 shootout percent.
Ryan Schnell has 156 penalty minutes and 16 major penalties to place him 2nd among ECHL rookies in both categories.
Kyle Bushee leads ECHL defensemen along with 4 others with 3 short handed points.
Wheeling's power play is 8th in the league at 19.4% (66 for 341) and penalty killing is 5th in the league at 82.9% (60 for 350).
Colin Power is 5th among rookies with 11 major penalties.
Wheeling is 2nd in the league on the power play in home games at 23.5%
Saturday
- Wheeling Nailers (32-31-6) 70
Toledo Walleye (33-28-6) 72
Head Coach:
Wheeling--Greg Puhalski (3rd season with Wheeling, 16th in professional hockey)
Toledo--Nick Vitucci
Affiliation:
Wheeling--Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Toledo--Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)Grand Rapids Griffins, Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Top Nailers
Wheeling-T.J. Fox (25-33-57), Aaron Clarke (23-30-53), Jordan Fox (18-31-49), Mitch Ganzak (8-38-46), Casey Pierro-Zabotel (12-28-40)
Top Walleye
Toledo-Maxime Tanguay (23-42-65), J.C. Sawyer (21-34-55), Evan Rankin (27-24-51), Chris Robertson (18-28-46)
Top Goalies
Wheeling-Adam Berkhoel (11-10-2, 2.96,.894)
Toledo-Alec Richards (16-12-4, 3.42, 0.896), Jordan Pearce (14-13-4, 3.55, 0.892)
Upcoming Games:
Saturday March 27th Wheeling Nailers @ Toledo Walleye 7:00pm
Friday April 2nd Wheeling Nailers vs. Reading Royals 7:35pm
Saturday April 3rd Wheeling Nailers vs. Cincinnati Cyclones 7:35pm
Upcoming Promotions!
Friday, April 2nd - Nailers Baby Blue Ball-Cap Giveaway for the first 2500 fans courtesy of Main Street Bank.
Saturday, April 3rd - Fan Appreciation Night and Ticket Extravaganza. Lots of gifts and prizes on the last game of the regular season.
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